Read A Kiss Before the Apocalypse for Free Online

down two tumblers, running his finger along the inside of each glass to clear away any dust. “It’s Steven,” he said as he placed the glasses on the countertop.
    The sound of the inner door opening sent Marlowe into spasms of barking fury. The dog bounded down the hall as Mulvehill entered, waiting patiently as the excited Lab sniffed him over.
    “Hey, fella, how’s it going?” Mulvehill thumped the dog’s side with the flat of his hand as Marlowe leaned against him, as if starving for attention, his tail, of course, wagging crazily.
    He straightened and strolled down the hallway to the kitchen, where he handed Remy the paper bag he was carrying. “I come bearing gifts. Make mine on the rocks, please.”
    Remy took the bag from his friend and removed the bottle of Seagram’s whiskey. Marlowe lurked at Remy’s side.
    “Have?” he asked.
    Remy tossed the paper bag down to the dog. “Rip it up in here. Don’t get it all over the living room, okay?”
    The Labrador quickly snatched up the satchel in his mouth and happily trotted into the living room.
    Mulvehill laughed. “I’m always amazed by the amount of control you have over that animal.”
    “Marlowe does what Marlowe wants to do,” Remy replied as he closed the freezer door and plunked a handful of cubes into each glass. “I can only make suggestions.”
    The homicide detective shook his head and looked toward the living room, where sounds of paper being torn to bits drifted out to them. “Spoken like a true pet owner,” he chuckled. “Did you visit Maddie tonight? How’s she doing?” the cop asked, suddenly serious.
    Remy shrugged. “As good as can be expected. She wanted to know if you were coming by soon.”
    Mulvehill hadn’t been to visit Remy’s wife since she had entered the hospital more than six months earlier. He claimed he had a “thing” about hospitals, but Remy suspected it had more to do with the fact that Steven could not face the loss of a close friend in his lonely life. Even now he ignored the question, instead motioning toward the stairs that led to the roof.
    “Shall we go up? I need a smoke.”
    Remy didn’t allow his friend to smoke in the house. Madeline and Marlowe were both allergic, and besides, it left an odor on the furniture that the angel’s acute senses found offensive. Mulvehill plodded up the stairs, and Remy followed close behind.
    The detective took his usual seat with a grunt, and reached into his coat pocket for the first of what would likely be many cigarettes. Remy put the ice-filled glasses and the bottle down on the tabletop.
    Lit cigarette dangling from his mouth, Mulvehill reached for the bottle of whiskey and cracked the seal. “Ain’t a finer sound to be heard after a day like today,” he offered.
    Remy watched him pour the golden liquid over the ice in his glass, filling it halfway. “Should I hit you or do you want to do it yourself?” Mulvehill asked, gesturing toward his friend with the bottle.
    Remy signaled with a wave of his hand for him to pour, as he sat down across from Mulvehill.
    The detective offered a sinister smile. “I’m drinking with either a brave man or a stupid one.”
    The ice inside the glass popped and cracked as the whiskey drenched it. “Depends on what you’re talking about,” Remy responded as he reached for his drink.
    Mulvehill set the bottle down, not bothering to screw the cap back on. He sampled his own drink with an eager gulp, and Remy could sense that something was bothering his friend.
    “You sure you don’t want this one too?” Remy asked, holding his glass out toward his friend. “I could get another glass and some more ice.”
    Mulvehill had already finished the first and was pouring a second. “Lousy day. Very long and lousy day.” He finished filling his glass, avoiding Remy’s eyes.
    Quietly, Remy sipped his drink, allowing the alcohol to burn his throat as he swallowed. It had taken him many years to learn how to appreciate the effects